The FA Youth Cup

Youngsters from Football Beyond Borders pick the key incidents in FA Youth Cup Final

Saturday 28 Apr 2018
Arsenal took the lead in the first half at Stamford Bridge in the 2018 FA Youth Cup Final against Chelsea

It was the first leg of the FA Youth Cup Final on Friday night, as Chelsea hosted Arsenal.

After falling behind to Xavier Amaechi’s first-half goal, holders Chelsea hit back after the break through a double from sub Daishawn Redan and a header from Marc Guehi.

And we invited two youngsters from Football Beyond Borders to Stamford Bridge to pick out their moments of the match for TheFA.com.

Chelsea 3-1 Arsenal
  • The FA Youth Cup
  • The Final first leg
  • Friday 27 April 2018
  • Stamford Bridge, Chelsea FC
  • Live on ITV4

Abdul Kamara

In the 35th minute, Arsenal were able to silence the crowd with a stylish and breath-taking chip finish from Xavier Amaechi, which gave them the boost they needed in this important away match.

The players celebrated in joy and surprise as they slid on the wet Chelsea turf as if they didn’t have a care in the world!

At one moment, I wondered whether they would even stop before hitting the advertising boards.

In the opposite corner of the ground, the Arsenal fans were going crazy, jumping up and down as if they were at a party! They might have been small in number but they were making lots of noise.

The favourites Chelsea were stunned, players with hands on hips, wondering whether this was to be their night.

This is football, the game that is full of highs and lows. It is never predictable and this is why I love it.

Chelsea celebrate Marc Guehi's goal at Stamford Bridge

Samuel Anyijiobi

In the 36th minute the pressure was on for Chelsea and they had to put in 110% to try and turn the game around and achieve victory in the first leg of this special cup.

The atmosphere from the home fans was nowhere near as energetic as it had been at the beginning of the match when Chelsea had had lots of opportunities to score.

They were growing frustrated and Chelsea needed to quickly improve.

Suddenly on 58 minutes the game changed. Having just come onto the pitch, Daishawn Redan seized the big moment.

He might only be 17-years-old but he showed that he has lots of determination, maturity and composure to change the game.

He raced onto the ball and slotted it home. Immediately the crowd went wild, the blue flags were raised and the comeback was on.

We leapt to our feet and gave Daishawn Redan the applause he deserved. A man next to us shouted out ‘come on Chelsea’ which gave the players more confidence to seize the victory.

The great comeback was on and I was over the moon to be there to witness it all!

The sides meet again on Monday night at the Emirates Stadium in the second leg and we’ll have more from FBB at that game. You can also watch the game live on ITV4.

Daishawn Redan scored Chelsea's equaliser, which caught Samuel's eye at Stamford Bridge

By FA Staff